Scam artists strike in Naugatuck

NAUGATUCK — An elderly borough couple fell victim to a scam Saturday perpetrated by two suspects, who claimed to be working for “The Water Company,” according to police.

At about 3 p.m. a man came to the couple’s house on Scott Street. He knocked on their door and told them the water company had received reports that residents in the area were having problems with their water, police said. He told the couple their house was on the list of problem residences, and he needed to check the water in the home.

The man offered the couple $50 to allow him to use and check their water. He said he only had a $100 bill, and asked if the couple could make change for $50, according to police.

The victims agreed to let the man into their home, and he then followed them to a place in the home where the couple kept cash, police said. The couple made change for the man, but he never gave them the $50, according to police.

A second man, who also claimed to be working for the water company, then arrived at the home. The two men led the couple to the basement, where one man kept them busy and the other man went back into another area of the house, police said.

The men left a short time later, police said. After they left, the couple noticed a large sum of money was missing.

Neither men had water company identification or were wearing clothing from the company. Police confirmed with Connecticut Water that none of its employees responded to the area for water issues on Saturday.

The suspects were described as white men. One was about 40 years old, 5 feet, 6 inches tall, with an average build. The other suspect was described to be in his late 30s, about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, also with an average build.

Police said no description was obtained for the vehicle used by the suspects.

Anyone with information regarding this incident, or anyone that has been a victim of a similar incident is asked to contact the Naugatuck Police Department at (203) 729-7106 or the Naugatuck Police Confidential Tip Line at (203) 720-1010.